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Family tree comes alive through MCHS research

LEWISTOWN — As America traces its roots in 2026 during the 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence, individuals and families, too, are discovering their ancestral beginnings. Tracing family heritage can take unexpected twists and turns. Internet searches provide information, but it ...

Measuring success and creating opportunity for America’s small businesses

To the Editor: Have you ever attended a sporting event where no score was kept? Without a scoreboard, it's impossible to know who's winning, where improvement is needed, or how much progress has been made. Business and economic development are no different. Clear goals and measurable outcomes create accountability, guide decision-making, and demonstrate success. Throughout my career, I have believed that meaningful results require meaningful measurement. I have also carried forward a lesson from my father: "Put your cookies on a table low enough that anyone can get one." ...

Unity of Americans keeps nation alive, well

July 4 community celebrations across America on this, the 250th anniversary of this great country’s founding, sought to project a nation unified, although in reality much skepticism about that supposed condition exists throughout the land. Still, consider this: Regardless of differing viewpoints — about politics, about businesses and industries, about schools and colleges, about the professions, and about almost anything else that’s a part of the national fabric — the one constant among them all is they’re all built upon a foundation seeking to make America as strong as it ...

Victor Willis, who co-founded the Village People and co-wrote ‘Y.M.C.A.,’ dies at 74

NEW YORK — Victor Willis, who co-founded the Village People, co-wrote the disco group's classic hits "Y.M.C.A.," "Macho Man" and "In the Navy," and delighted crowds while dressed as the band's helmeted and mustachioed police officer, has died. He was 74. "We are profoundly sad to announce the death of Victor Willis, lead singer of Village People," the group posted on its official Facebook page. The cause was identified as "a short but aggressive illness." Willis was a musician-actor who, among other things, had appeared on Broadway in "The Wiz" when he decided to cash in on the ...

Iran’s top officials attend prayer for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's top officials and brothers of the country's new supreme leader emerged into public view Sunday to attend the funeral prayers for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, signaling a new confidence in their safety as calls grew for the killing of U.S. President Donald Trump. Their presence before hundreds of thousands of people in the capital Tehran would have been unthinkable during the Iran war, which saw airstrikes in its opening moments on Feb. 28 kill the 86-year-old Khamenei, his family members and other officials. Israel also targeted others who appeared ...